# NTSB LAX90LA087: Piper PA-23-150, N2118P, Long Beach, CA, February 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1990, 13:08 local (21:08 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Location: 33.8179° N, 118.1519° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LONG BEACH (DAUGHERTY FLD) (LGB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8179&lon=-118.1519&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE GEAR AND FLAPS DURING A GO-AROUND RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN A PA-23.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - raising of flaps - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear retraction - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON FINAL FOLLOWING A C-152 DOING TOUCH-AND-GO'S AND WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE TOWER TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND WHEN IT APPEARED TO THE CONTROLLER THE PIPER WAS OVERTAKING THE CESSNA. THE PIPER WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB AND THEN DESCEND TO THE GROUND IN A LEFT TURN. THE PLT INDICATED A POSSIBLE LOSS OF POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE DURING THE GO-AROUND, AND THAT HE RAISED THE GEAR AND FLAPS. THE FLAP SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE FULL DOWN POSITION, AND THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE DOWN AND NEUTRAL POSITION. THE PLT HAD 13 HRS IN A PA-23. NO EVIDENCE FOUND TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM OF THE LEFT ENGINE. BOTH FUEL TANKS HAD EVIDENCE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL PRESENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2118P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2118P-2011-06-28), registration cancelled 2011-06-28, S/N 23-709, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-709
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian Beamer
- Departed: HESPERIA, CA
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach, runway 25L, 5,420 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 556 total, 13 in this make and model, 384 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LGB

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900210001859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900210001859A), Feb 10, 1990: Piper PA23, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled during attempted go around.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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